Louver structure and luminous ceiling utilizing same

ABSTRACT

A louver structure for a light fixture comprises a plurality of slats interlocking with each other to form a cellular egg-crate construction, characterised in that the slats are formed with extensions projecting beyond the cells, the widths of the extensions being less than the width of the cells to provide spaces between contiguous extensions. A luminous ceiling is provided by the use of such louver structure in combination with lighting fixtures.

United States Patent [19] Cohen [11] 3,812,341 [4 May 21, 1974 LOUVER STRUCTURE AND LUMINOUS CEILING UTILIZING SAME Menachem Cohen, 16 Nachum St., Tel Aviv, Israel Filed: Mar. 13, 1972 Appl. No.: 234,290

Inventor:

US. Cl. 240/9 R, 240/46.39, D48/l6 A Int. Cl. F2lv 11/06 Field of Search 240/9 R, 46.39; D48/l6 A [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS D208,367 8/1967 Blitzer D48/l6 A Dl82,99l 6/1958 Deaton D48/16 A FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 176,493 3/1922 Great Britain 240/48.4

OTHER PUBLICATIONS Neo-Ray Products Brochure, Textur-Cel, Sept. 6,

Ceilings Sweets File Architectural, 1965, Page 5.

Primary Examiner-Samuel S. Matthews Assistant ExaminerRussell E. Adams, Jr.

[5 7 1 ABSTRACT A louver structure fora light fixture comprises a plurality of slats interlocking with each other to form a cellular egg-crate construction, characterised in that the slats are formed with extensions projecting beyond the cells, the widths of the extensions being less than the width of the cells to provide spaces between contiguous extensions. A luminous ceiling is provided by the use of such louver structure in combination with lighting fixtures.

3 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures .ATENTH]HAY2I 1914 FIG. 1

LOUVER STRUCTURE AND LUMINOUS CEILING UTILIZING SAME BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to louver structures, and to luminous ceilings including such louvers.

Louver structures are commonly used to provide luminous or false ceilings in a room, the louvers underlying the lighting fixtures such as fluorescent tubes or incandesent lamps. The louvers act to diffuse the light from the lighting fixtures, as well as concealing, except from direct view, the lights and plumbing fixtures that may be disposed along the ceiling.

The louver structures heretofore used comprise a plurality of slats interlocking with each'other to form a cellular egg-crate construction. The cells are usually of square or rectangular shape, but may take other shapes as well.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a novel louver structure and luminous ceiling characterised in that the slats of the louversare formed with extensions projecting beyond the cells, the widths of the extensions being less than the widths of the cells to provide spaces between contiguous extensions.

It has been found that such a louver structure provides a much better difusion of the light and substantially eliminates glare and shadows, and in addition it increases the attractiveness of the luminous ceiling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THEDRAWINGS DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 illustrates the construction of one slat 2 used in a first group of slats making up the louver structure. This slat as well as all the others, may be made of any conventional material, such as plastic sheet. They are formed with spaced slits 4 extending inwardly from one edge 6 of the slat for about one-half the height of the slat. Slats 2 are further formed with a plurality of extensions 8 extending outwardly from edge 6 of the slat, that is in the opposite direction from slits 4. Extensions 8 are of a length substantially equal to the height of the slat between its edges 6 and 7, and are of a width less than the space between slits 4 so that a gap 10 is formed between extensions.

The structure of the second group of slats is illustrated in FIG. 2, wherein it is seen that each is likewise formed with a plurality of spaced slits 14. However, in

slats 12 the slits 14 are formed inwardly from edge 17, rather than from edge 16. Slits 14 also extend about one-half the height of the slat between edges 16 and 17. The slats are further formed with extensions 18 projecting outwardly from edge 16 of the slat. Extensions 18, as extensions 8, are substantially equal to the height of the slat between its edges 16 and 17, and are of a width less than the space between slits 14 to between extensions. 1

FIG. 3 illustrates a plurality of slats of the construction of slat 2 (FIG. 1) assembled with a plurality of slats of the construction of slat 12 (FIG. 2), to provide the novel louver structure and luminous ceiling. The'assembled structure includes a slat 2 for each slit l4, and a slat 12 for each slit 4. In assembling the slats, slats 2 are received within slits 14 of slats l2, and slats 12 are received within slits 4 of slats 2, to provide a uniformly appearing cellular egg-crate construction having uniformly spaced extensions. The extensions 8 and 18 of theslats depend downwardly, that is in the direction opposite to the location of the lightingfixtures, shown schematically at 30, carried by the ceiling. Since the extensions 8 and 18 are of a width less than the spacing between their respective slits 4 and 14, which determines the dimensions of the cells formed by the louver structure, the light from the light sources not only is diffused downwardly, but is also difiused laterally through I the gaps between the contiguous extensions.

Thus the louver structure provides a good and uniform diffusion 'of the light and a very attractive appearance to the luminous ceiling.

Many variations, modifications and other applications of the illustrated embodiment will be apparent.

What is claimed is: p

l. A louver structure consisting of only a first group and a second group of slats, said first group of slats being formed with spaced slits extending inwardly from one edge thereof, and with extensions extending outwardly from said one edge; said second group of slats being formed with spaced slits extending inwardly from one edge thereof, and with extensions extending outwardly from the opposite edge; there being one of said extensions centrally between each pair of slitsin both groups of slats; there being one of the second group of slats for each slit in the first group, and one of the first group of slats for each slit in the second group; said two groups of slats being assembled into interlocking engagement with one of the first group of slats received within each slit of the second group, and one of'the second group of slats received within each slit of the first group, to form a uniformly appearing cellular construction having uniformly spaced extensions extending from one side thereof.

2. A louver structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said extensions are substantially equal in length to the height of said cells.

3. A luminous ceiling including a louver structure as ver structure. g a:

provide a gap 20 

1. A louver structure consisting of only a first group and a second group of slats, said first group of slats being formed with spaced slits extending inwardly from one edge thereof, and with extensions extending outwardly from said one edge; said second group of slats being formed with spaced slits extending inwardly from one edge thereof, and with extensions extending outwardly from the opposite edge; there being one of said extensions centrally between each pair of slits in both groups of slats; there being one of the second group of slats for each slit in the first group, and one of the first group of slats for each slit in the second group; said two groups of slats being assembled into interlocking engagement with one of the first group of slats received within each slit of the second group, and one of the second group of slats received within each slit of the first group, to form a uniformly appearing cellular construction having uniformly spaced extensions extending from one side thereof.
 2. A louver structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said extensions are substantially equal in length to the height of said cells.
 3. A luminous ceiling including a louver structure as defined in claim 1, the said extensions of the louver structure being oriented downwardly, and a plurality lighting fixtures disposed between the ceiling and louver structure. 